great longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great longing" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a strong desire or yearning for something. Example: After years of studying and hard work, she finally achieved her great longing to become a doctor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"With great longing I am thinking of you," one read, in part.

The New Yorker

It was keeping people, especially young people, very much pent up, with a great longing to go abroad.

The New Yorker

Phillips has played only 12 games for the Mets this season, but he can sense the great longing in the fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Of her childhood in Sydney, she said that young Australians of her time were "very much pent up, with a great longing to go abroad.

The New Yorker

Anyway, after finishing The Hobbit I felt a great longing to read The Lord of the Rings, but I worry that I may lose interest in the middle since I already know the story from watching the movie.

The Guardian

Soon, struck with wonder at a deeper rumbling and rushing sounds like a torrent, I thirsted with great longing for the wider rivers of eloquence.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Using a restricted Neoclassical vocabulary and remaining unadventurous in versification, he nevertheless succeeded in creating through the musicality of his verse and his vaporous landscapes a sense of great longings unfulfilled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With credit markets tight as a drum and many homeowners struggling to keep their houses, fleeting images of a hilltop mansion in Beverly Hills only provoke greater longing.

The New York Times

"When you live in the middle of this hustle-bustle, and you have a lot of responsibilities and demands on you, you naturally have a greater longing for it".

The New York Times

By turns psych-folk, pop, jazz and R&B, with persistent strains of calypso and steel drums, they build a song cycle that tells of the particular joys and hopelessness of island life, its tragedies and disappointments, a yearning for better, and a great heartfelt longing for a sweetheart named Patricia.

The Guardian - Music

I still love popovers with a great primal longing.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "great longing", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being longed for to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "great longing" excessively in formal or business writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "strong desire" or "keen interest" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great longing" functions as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "longing". According to Ludwig, it is used to express a strong desire or yearning. Examples show its use across various contexts, indicating its flexibility in expressing emotional intensity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great longing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to convey a strong sense of yearning or desire. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides diverse examples. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "great longing" and alternatives like "intense yearning" or "profound desire". It appears most often in news and media, as well as scientific publications, making it suitable for various forms of expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense yearning

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling.

profound desire

Highlights the depth of the wish.

deep yearning

Similar to "intense yearning" but with a focus on depth.

strong craving

Implies a need that is difficult to resist.

fervent hope

Focuses on the optimistic aspect of the desire.

burning desire

Emphasizes the passionate nature of the wish.

acute need

Highlights the urgency and importance of the desire.

consuming passion

Indicates that the desire dominates one's thoughts and actions.

inescapable yearning

Highlights how this feeling can't be avoided or escaped.

overwhelming desire

Focuses on the magnitude of the feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "great longing" in a sentence?

You can use "great longing" to express a strong desire or yearning for something, as in "She felt a great longing for her homeland" or "The fans expressed their great longing for a championship victory".

What are some alternatives to "great longing"?

Alternatives include "intense yearning", "profound desire", or "deep yearning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "great longing" a formal or informal expression?

"Great longing" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider the specific tone and audience. In highly formal settings, "profound desire" may be preferred.

What's the difference between "great longing" and "strong desire"?

"Great longing" often implies a sense of wistfulness or sentimentality, while "strong desire" simply indicates a powerful wish. The choice depends on the specific emotional color you want to add to your writing.